Seven Days

Chapter Twenty-Three

December 13th

Monday

It was nearly ten when Frerin pulled into the driveway behind Syd's Jetta and eased the transmission into neutral, then pulled the emergency brake. "So, I have a few errands to run, and I'll get you a key made."

She smiled. "Who are you?"

He returned her smile, adding a wink as he said, "I've been given a second chance, Syd. I'm not stupid, you know, so I'm making the most of it."

She bit back a sigh at the seriousness in his eyes. No man ever looked at her the way did right then.

"What? You're staring?"

"I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop," she admitted softly, letting her gaze drop to the console between them.

"Syd?" He caught her beneath the chin with a finger and lifted her face gently. "I know you've got every reason in the world to think that, but I promise you, it's not."

Heat flooded her at his soft admonishment. His eyes were soft, but serious still and a low sigh rose to her lips. "No, it isn't fair of me to keep bringing it up."

"You can trust me. I know you've got your doubts, but I promise you, Syd, I'm not fucking around on you or playing you or any of that."

"I know. And that's why it's not fair of me to keep hanging onto what happened."

He grinned. "Hang on to that night, though. That sex was amazing."

"Frerin."

"What?" He winked. "It was."

He then brushed her lips with a light kiss. "Now, let me go. I've got this unexpected week off, a new girlfriend to Christmas shop for, and a brother who needs my help with his own shopping. I expect dinner on the table at six, and you on that same table around seven."

"You are going to be disappointed by the first and we'll see with the second."

"Christmas is coming, Frerin's been a good boy, and he died, remember..."

"You're going to play that dead thing for everything it's worth, aren't you?"

"If it means you naked on the table under me? Hell, yeah. Didn't I just tell you I'm not stupid?" He winked and drew back. "Go. Before I kill the engine and pull you into the backseat to give your neighbors a show. That happens, and we could end up with Thorin busting both of our asses."

She bit back a chuckle at the thought, which was almost as horrifying as it was funny to her. "I'm going. I'm going." She pushed open the door and climbed out, then turned back to him. "You'll be careful, right?"

His eyes softened once more. "I'll be fine, honey. I'm on the bench for the next week. No running into burning buildings for Frerin any time soon."

"You know what I mean."

"I do and I will. I'll see you later, Syd."

"Bye, Frerin."

The rows upon rows of diamonds all sparkled up at Frerin as he said, "Do you at least have an idea of what you want?"

Thorin looked over. "A diamond."

"Well, no shit, T." Frerin rolled his eyes as the saleswoman approached and both he and Thorin automatically straightened up. For a moment, when she seemed to glare at them, he felt like a teenager again, about to be bodily escorted from the store.